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G. W. SCHLICHTEN. MEANS FOR TREAHNG FIBER BEARING PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.27| 1916.

1,308,376. I Patented July 1, 1919.

8 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. W. SCHLICHTEN.

MEANS F 0R TREATING FIBER BEARING PLANTS.

APPucAnou man DEC. 21, 1916. 1,308,376.

. G. W. SCHLICHTEN.

MEANS FOR TREATING FIBER BEARING PLANTS.

Patented July 1, 1919.

8 SHEETS SHEET 3.

G. W. SCHLICHTEN.

MEANS FOR TREATING FIBER BEARING PLANTS.

Patentei Ju1yL1919. a SHEETS-SHEET 4 APPLICATION FILED DEC-27' 1916.

George mm m, w,

G. W. SCHLICHTEN.

MEANS FOR TREATING FIBER BEARING PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 27, 1916.

"l 3U8,376. Patented July 1, 1919.

who! I George WSdNiQhren I e; w. SCHLICHTE N.

MEANS FOR TREATING FIBER BEARING PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.2T| I9I6.

1 $08 376 Patentedl Jilly 1, 1919.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

W I george IDTSchIichreq "km. EM

Olly.

G. W. SCHLICHTEN.

MEANS FOR TREATING FIBER BEARING PLANTS- APPLICATION FILED DEC. 27,1916.

1 fim8 3'yfi... Patentedl July 1, 1919.

ssHEET's-sHEET 1.

4% George 103% chhchren dfllflman G. W. SCHLICHTEN. MEANS FOR TREATINGFIBER BEARING PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.27, I916.

Patented July 1, 1919.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

40f G m eorga. 0 loan P9.'d. .@nmw

GEORGE WILLIAM SCHILIGHTEN, tilt SAN DIEGO, GALIFORHIA.

MEANS HOB TREATING FIBERrBEA-BING I'll-AN "17$.

ascents.

flpeciflcation of Letters Eatent.

Patented July 11, 1am.

Application filed December 927, 1916. Serial No. 139,181.

ing Fiber-Bearing Plants, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

My invention relates to a means for decorticating, mechanicallydegumming, cleaning and otherwise producing fiber from fiber bearingmaterials such as ramie stalks or any other stem fiber plants, moreparticularly in their dry unretted and untreated form, and the objectsof my invention are; first, to provide means for decorticating,mechanically degumming, cleaning, stripping, scutching, combing andotherwise producing fiber from all kinds of fiber-bearing materials suchas ramie, flax, hemp,jute, sesbania, nettles and other stem fiberplants-in their unretted and untreated form; second, to provide meansfor freeing the fiber-bearing materials simultaneously with thepreparation of the fiber of its gum in the form of crystals of dust, tosuch a degree that the fiber produced is at once ready and suitable forcarding or combing without any further treatment such as degumming orretting, and leaving the fiber soft, pliable, adhesive and in itsunimpaired, natural strength and color, and yielding the maximum offiber contained 1n the fiber-bearing material; third, to provlde meansfor so separating the residue such as the woody matter, pulp, leaves,gum, etc, from the unretted fiber-bearing material so as to preserve thesame as a byproduct for use in various ways, for instance, the woody andpulpy matter is so treated as to be suitable material for paper pulp,the leaves are so treated as to be suitable for stockfood or fertilizer,and the gum is so treated as to be readily utilized for drug purposessuch as canabin and other drug principles and for glue and other variouscommercial commodities; fourth, to provide means whereby fibers of anyfiber-containing plant such as c bean straw, cotton stalks and the like,as Well as any vine growth can be produced as well as the fiberscontained in leaves such as the agave or cactus species, or the socalled Manila hemp, New Zealand flax or any other leafy growth; fifth,to provide means for so treating fibers that the treated product may beproduced very cheaply and economically and in particular the fiber oframie and hemp for the following reason:

Ramie, the most valuable of fiber plants, is a perennial and can begrown cheaply in suitable climates producing from four to six annualcrops, and hemp of the Cannabis sativa variety while being an annual isadapted to all climates and suitable for almost all purposes for whichvegetable fibers are used can be grown as simply as grain and harvestedas easily and only needs to be field or sun dried for the purpose ofproducing the fiber thereof through my means, thereby becoming as simplea farm crop as grain. ll therefore believe that the principal use of myinvention will be for the production of fibers from ramie, hemp andsimilar stem fiber plants and I therefore will describe my means moreparticularly for use in treating such fiber plants; sixth, to providemeans of the class described which is simple and economical ofconstruction, durable, easy to operate, will not readily deteriorate orget out of order, and is adjustable throughout; seventh, to provide ameans of the class described which requires a minimum of preparation ofthe stalks or fiberbearing material to be treated before it is ready fortreatment by my means; eighth,

to provide means of the class described whereby the parts areinterchangeable so that substitution may be made of the parts fortreating difi'erent kinds, classes and characters of fiber-bearingsubstances; ninth, to provide means of the class described in which eachand every apparatus and the parts thereof, and the substituted parts areadjustable; tenth, to provide means for preventing the fiber fromwrapping on the shaft between the revolving apparatus and the shaftbearings.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, myinvention consists of certain novel features of construction,combination and arrangement of the parts and their relations to eachother, and

the substitutions of parts, as will be hereinafter described in detailand particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereonwhich form a part of this specification in which:

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of my apparatus in one form showing someof the parts fragmentarily. Fig. 2 is a side elelid Y vational viewthereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the middle of Fig. 1 of thefragmentary front portion of the a paratu's, andshowing the positionofthe fi er-bearing material and fiber in passing through the portion ofthe apparatus shown. Fig.

4 is a side elevational view of a fragmentary ortion of one of the sideframes with the hearings therein. Fig.5 is a detailed sectional viewthrough the middle thereof of the adjustment of the relative positionsof the separate members in each set in the apparatus and the springtension thereof, and showing portions in elevation to faellitate theillustration. Fig. 6 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 7 is a perspectiveview of the feeding apparatus alone. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of oneform of the discharging apparatus. Fig. 9 is asectional view of thecrushing and denting rolls shown in their relative position to eachother and showing the fiber-bearing material passing therethrough. Fig.10 is a similar view of the first breaker rolls. Fig. 11 is a similarview of secondary breaker rolls. Fig. '12 is a similar view of thesoftening rolls. Fig. 13'

is a perspective view of the softening rolls, whipper -andshield showinga modified form from that of Fig. 1. Fig. 14 is a detailed perspectiveview of the whipper shown, in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a detailed fragmentaryportion of the whipper blade shown in Fig. 14 and showing its adjustmenton the spider arm. Fig. 16 is a similar view at right angles thereto.Fig. 17 is a detailed perspective view of the form of rotating comberapparatus shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Fig. 18 is a fragmentarydetailed view of a portion of the comber blade shown in Fig. 17 and itsadjustment relatively to the spider arm. Fig. 19 is a similar view atright angles thereto. Figs. 20 to 31 inclusive are detailed fragmentaryportions of various forms of comber blades with their teeth orprojections. Figs. 32 and 33 are fragmentary transverse sectional viewsof pin combers in a slightly modified form from those of Figs. 30 and31. Fig. 34 is a perspective view of one form of the feed table hood 2shown upside down. Fig. 35 is a diagrammatic view showing the relativepositions of the various teeth or projections positions on the bladesshowing them in the preferable staggered positions. Fig. 36 is asectional View through the mid dle of Fig. 37 showing a fragmentary por-'tion of the discharging roll and the means thereon for preventingthefiber from wind.- ing on the rolls. Fig. 37 is an end view thereof. Fig.38 is a rear elevational view thereof in fragmentary form. Fig. 39 is adetailed fragmentary perspective view of the guard for preventing thefiber from wrapping on the delivery rolls. Fig. 40 is a side elevationalview of a mechanical apron, its attachmentv and driving mechanlsin fordelivering the fiber from the machine in a modified form from that ofFig. 8 and showing by dotted lines the other position of the apron inits movement, and 41 is a lan view thereof. Fi 42 is a front elevationalview of the splitting and spreading rolls in one form shown in theiroperative relation to each other. Fi 43 is a detailed perspective viewshowing the construction of said rolls, and Fig. 44 1s a fragmentarysectional view of one sideof the frame through 4444 of Fig. 4 of thedrawings showing the bearings in position in the frame and fragmentaryportions of the rolls in osition.

imilar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views. My means treats the fiber-bearing material as follows:First, it is placed in the feed table which is preferably provided witha corrugated bottom as shown best in Fig. 7 of the drawings, whichspreads the said material uniforml thereon and guides it into themachine, t e construction of the feed table is such that it regulatesthe quantity of material passing into the machine; how ever, for thesecorrugations in the feed table there may be substituted a device for thesame purpose consisting of revolving disks suitably spaced apart fromeach other on stationary shafts, one above the other, the disks on theupper shaft interspaoing with the ones on the lower shaft and saidshafts are adjustably mounted in the frame of the 100 machine at theends. This feed table and substituted device also serves to keep thefiber stalks or fiber-bearing material so arated and straight. Next thefiber-bearing material passes between the crushing and I05 denting rollswhich crush the stalks or material and slightly dents the outer surfacesof the same as shown best in Fig. 9. It then passes between thesplitting and spreading rolls which splits, spreads and separates the Iportions of the flattened fiber stalks or material and also acts as abreaker for said stalks or material that pass in crosswise or at anangle otherwise than straight. The fiber plant material then passesbetween the first 115 breaker rolls which are so arranged relatively toeach other as to start the breaking of the woody or pulpy material asshown best in Fig. 10. It then passes between secondary breaker rollswhich are in closer proximity 120 to each other as shown best in Fig. 11which thoroughly break the woody matter up into small particles. It thenpasses between the first rotating comber apparatus which starts comberapparatuses revolve at a higher speed than the preceding apparatuseswhich facilitates the combing effect and action on the fiber. .Thematerial then passes between softening rolls which perform the doublefunction of softening the fiber by contact and holding it in positionfor action of the combing apparatus by reason of the corrugated surfacesof the softening rolls contacting with each other with the fiber between them as shown best in Fig. 12. It then passes through anothercomber apparatus which may be of different construction in its teeth orprojections resulting in a more thorough cleaning and degumming of thefiber. It then passes through as many more alternate softening andcombing appafatuses or substitutes therefor that perform the samefunctions as are necessary to thoroughly eliminate all substances notfiber from the fiber. It then passes between a pair of dischargingrollers for delivering the material from the apparatus in the form of astraight line fiber. This fiber then passes upon an endless slattedcarrier which has a shaking motion adapted to eliminate any small .wasteparticles that may yet be contained in the fiber. This carrier deliversthe fiber straight in line and ready to be hanked and baled. For thisslatted carrier may be substituted a mechanical apron shown in Figs. 40and 41 which discharges the fiber in endless folded form. K

The following constitute the principal parts of my apparatus: The feedtable 1, hood 2, feed guides 3, crushing and denting rolls 4, splittingand spreadingrolls 5, primary breaker rolls 6, secondary breaking rolls7 coarse rotating comber 8, softening rolls 9, rotating comber apparatus10, softening rolls 11, rotating comber apparatuses 12, softening rolls13, rotating comber apparatuses 14, softening rolls 15, rotating comberapparatuses 16, discharging rolls 17, discharging roll guard 18, carrier19, side housings 20, bearings 21, bearings 22, bearing adjustments 23,bearing adjustments 24, gears 25, gears 26, main drive shaft 27, highspeed shaft 28. intermediate gear 29, intermediate gears 30,intermediate gear 31. intermediate gear 32, gear 33. chains 34. chain35, chains 36, shafts 37. whippers 38, guards 39, mechanical apron 40,comber apparatus 41 and comber apparatus 42.

The feed table 1 consists of a flat member provided with vertical sides1 and it is secured to the frame at its one end and at its free end issupported by a pair of adjustable leg members 1 so that said feed tablemay be provided with the proper angle to lead the material to theapparatus. Mounted in the front end of the frame and adjacent the innerend of the feed table 1 are the feed guides 3 which consist of a pair ofstationary shafts spaced apart some distance and adjustable relativelyto each v for said disks.

revolubly mounted a plurality of, disks 3 which are held in their spacedrelation by means of short revoluble sleeves 3? mounted on said shaftswhich serve as separators These shafts are so positioned that the diskson one shaft set in between the disks on the other and the material tobe treated feeds in between the two shafts and is controlled and spreadby the disks, also the feeding space is regulated by the space betweenthe two shafts. In lieu of the feeding mechanism 3 I have provided asubstitute feed table which consists in corrugating the inner end of thebottom portion of the feed table as shown best in Fig. 7 of thedrawings. These corrugations gradually recede outwardly to the level ofthe feed table as shown best in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Over thiscorrugated portion is a hood 2 which is mounted thereon so as to beadjusted both vertically and horizontally so as to regulate the quantityof feed passing between the table bottom and said hood. This hood isalso provided with a corrugated inner surface constructed in the samemanner as the corrugations on the feed table shown best in Fig. 34, andthey are positioned in relation to the corrugations on the feed table sothat if they are positioned close enough together the upper corrugationscome in the middle of the grooves of the feed table. The objects ofthesecorrugations are to properly spread and hold the material straight as itis fed into the apparatus and to regulate the quantity of feed. Whenthis substituted feed table with the corrugations as shown in Fig. 7 isused the lower shaft and disks shown in Fig. 3 should be removed;however, both shafts and disks may be removed if desired. The frames 20which will be hereinafter described are spaced apart a suitable distanceand between them are mounted the feed table and feeding apparatus justdescribed and the apparatuses for treating the material as hereinafterdescribed. Mounted in housings on the frame adjacent the feed table andadjustable relatively to each other are a pair of crushing and dentingrolls 4 which are provided with shal- .other. Upon these stationaryshafts are inafter described. Similarly mounted in housings 2 andadjacent to these crushing and denting rolls are a pair of splitting andspreading rolls 5 adjustable relatively to 5 each other. These rolls 5are provided with circumferential grooves 5 and corresponding ridges 5"and they are so positioned relatively-to each other .that the ridges inone fit into the grooves in the other without contacting. Thesesplitting and spreading rolls are for the purpose of splitting,separating, spreading and opening the stalks or fiber-bearing materiallongitudinally and also serve as a breaker for such material that entersthe apparatus crosswise or at any angle from the longitudinal. In lieuof said rolls I have provided substitute apparatuses which consist of aplurality of disks 5 spaced apart from each other by means of aplurality of separating members 5 so that the disks may be spaceddifferent distances apart and different depth, grooves and ridgesprovided, shown best in Figs. 42 and 43 of the drawings. These disks andseparators are slidably mounted upon a square shaft 5 so that they turnwith the shaft when said shaft revolves.

The primary breaker rolls 6 are cylindrical in form and are mounted inthe housing of the frame similar to the crushing and denting rolls andare provided with longitudinal grooves '6 in their outer surface andwith corresponding ridges 6". The ridges on the rolls are so'positionedas to fit into the grooves in the other roll without contacting but fitin deep enough to start the breaking of the woody or pulpy matter of thematerial all as shown best in Fig. 10 of the drawings. The secondarybreaking rolls 7 are similarly constructed but are so positionedrelatively to each other that the ridges fit deeper into the grooves anddeep enough so that in their operation the woody matter of thefibermaterial becomes small,

broken and separated particles without bruising or injuring the fiberall as shown best in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

It will be here noted that the apparatuses 4, 5, 6 and 7 as hereinbeforedescribed provide means for breaking up the waste material contained inthe fiber-bearing material and I will now proceed to describe the meansfor eliminating this waste material or byproduct from the fiber. Mountedin the housings adjacent the secondary breaking roll 7 are a pair ofrotating comber apparatuses. These rotating comber apparatuses aregeared so that they rotate at a greater speed than the precedingapparatuses as will be hereinafter described. These combers consist of ashaft 8 upon which is secured a pair of spiders 8 one near each endthereof. The spider arms are positioned at an angle to the radial and onthese arms are adjustably mounted the blades 8. The ends of said bladesare bent. at right. angles at 8 and are provided with slots 8 thereinadapted for the bolts 8 providing for shifting the blades outwardly orinwardly on said arms, and mounted in said right angle portion are setscrews 8" which are adapted to permit the shifting of the bladesrelatively to said arms on various angles as desired. The purpose of theangles of the blades and arms is so that the outer edges or projectionsof the blades do not engage the fiber in a direct line but do so on anangle to prevent the teeth or projections in the blades in their actionupon the fiber from fastening in the same, thus preventing the windingof the fiber on the rotatable comber. These comber blades are providedin their outer edges with a plurality of points, projections, teeth orother suitable means of any degree of fineness or construction whichpenetrate into or act upon the fiber material. Some of said variousforms of points, projections and teeth are best illustrated in Figs. 20to 33 of the drawings. It will be here noted that these points,projections and teeth are preferably so positioned on adjacent bladesthat they are in staggered position relatively to each other as shownbest in the diagrammatic view, Fig. 35 of the drawings, and also thatthe teeth, points and projections on the blades of the upper and lowerrotating comber apparatuses are similarly positioned in staggeredrelation to its opposing blades on the other apparatus thus keeping thefiber between them going in a straight line and parallel with the sidesof the apparatuses at all times, and also that the blades on one of theapparatuses operates between two adjacent blades on the opposingapparatus as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings and at a certaindegree of depth to be adjusted in accordance with the kind of materialto be treated. It will also be here noted that the combing apparatus asjust described provides besides the degumming, combing, cleaning andseparating action means consisting in the projections on the comberblades for penetrating into every part of the fiber strands and acts onevery part of it in every angle through friction, scutching, beating,stripping in every possible manner which is adapted to free the gum,loose woody matter, bark or anything not fiber from the fiber. Thisaction, it will be noted, frees and eliminates the gum from the fiber intiny'crystal" form in appearance like dust. It will alsobe here notedthat inasmuch as the rotating comber apparatus, rotates at a greaterspeed than the preceding apparatus that every part of 1 the fiber isacted upon by the projectlons on the rotating comber apparatus a greatmany times while it passes therethrough. In lieu of or in addition tothe rotating comber apparatus may be substituted or used for cerof thedrawing which facilitates a sent tain purposes a rotating, adjustablewhi per as shown best in Figs. 14, 15, 16 an 18 of the drawings. Thewhipper consists of a shaft 37 the same as the shaft of the rotatingcomber and mounted near each end is a spider 38 which is similar to thespider 8 except that the arms are radial. Mounted on the arms of thespider 38 are the whipper blades 38 which are provided with bevelededges 38 and with right angled bends at the ends 38. These whipperblades are adjustably mounted on the arms in the same manner as therota-ting comber apparatus slats are secured to their spider arms sothat they may be adjusted in the same manner as to angle, etc. Thesewhippers are positioned similarly to the combers in practically the samerelative position and in some cases with certain kinds of material Isubstitute a U shaped guard '39 in place of one of the whippers as shownbest in 13 action on the fiber by the whipper. These guards are forthefurther purpose of guidlng the fiber material into the succeedingapparatus and hold it in position for actlon by the whippers. These U.shaped sup rts are secured to the housings at their en s by means ofbolts through the projections 39 and into the upper and lower sides ofthe housings. These whippers and guards may be positioned either aboveor below and side by side as desired as shown in Fig. 13 of thedrawings. The softening rolls9 are revolubly mounted in the housings ofthe frame and adjustably relative to each other. They are providedwithlongitudinal, corrugated surfaces which intermesh and are for thepurpose of softening and spreadlng the fiber and holding it taut in thePI'OPBDPOSI- tion for action by the rotating comber apparatuses andloosens the bark and g'ummy matter which is thereafter eliminated by therotating comber apparatuses. The remaining rotatable comber apparatusessuch as 10, 12, 14 and 16 are similarly constructed,

positioned and operated as the rotatable comber apparatus 8 but may beprovided with different forms of teeth, projections and points as shownin Figs. 29 to 33 of the drawings depending on the kind of material tobe treated or the extent of the treatment desired and are used to cleanthe fiber suitable for different uses, also a palr of softening rollsare placed between each rotating comber apparatus simllar to thesoftening roll 9 hereinbefore described such as the rolls 11, 13 andwhich perform the same function as the roll 9 as hereinbefore described.lit will be here noted that any apparatuses such as the softening rolls,rotating combing apparatuses, whlppers, whipper guards and theirdlfl'erent substitutions may be interchanged, added to or taken from toprovide for different kinds of mateably speeded a little faster than theother precedm apparatuses to provide a pulling action. lounted adjacentto these rolls are the ards 18 which are concave surface uar s securedto the bearings by means of olts 18 through lugs 18 and into saidbearings. The free side of said guard engages the outer surfaces of therolls slightly below the middle thereof and are for the purpose ofpreventing the fiber from wrapping on the rolls. A portion of said uardis shown best in Fig. 39 of the drawlng. Mounted on the rear end of theapparatus adjacent said discharging rolls is the slatted carrier 19which consists of belts 19 mounted on rollers 19 which are secured toshafts which are revolubly mounted in bearings in the roller, see Fig.8, is supported by flexible sup ports 19 which are provided on theirouter ends with bearings 19 adapted for the outer roller shaft. Theseflexible supports 19" are supported in cantaliver form to the rigidsupports 19 which are in turn secured to the frame 19 which isdetachably secured to the extended end of the frame of the apparatus. Itwill be here noted that the slats are longer than the frame is wide toprovide for the proper handling of the fiber discharged from thedischarging rolls as it spreads when leaving said discharging rollers,The object of the flexible supports 19 is to provide a shaking motion tothe carrier 19 by reason of the vibration of said supports forthoroughly shaking the discharging fiber to eliminate any waste productsthat may still be left in the fiber. In lieu of said delivery carrier Ihave sub stitued a mechanical apron to be used under certain conditionswhere endless feeding is desired or preferred as this apron delivers thefiber in folded endless form ready for baling, which apron is shown inFigs. 10 and 41 of the drawings. When this mechanical apron is used thedelivery carrier as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings and previouslydescribed is removed and the mechanical apron is pivotally mounted onthe endof the frame adjacent to the discharging rolls by means ofbearing lug 10 shown best in Figs. 40 and 41 of the drawings, the sides,converging downwardly forming a tapered discharging apron. Pivot-allyconnected to these lugs 40 is the shaft 40 which is pivotally connectedat its lower end to a 1 40 which is secured to the wheel 40, which wheelis revolubly mounted on the housing on the axle 40 which provides thatthe shaft 40 is eccentrically connected to the wheel 40 for moving theapron back and forth on the rod 40". This wheel 40 is driven by chainfrom any. of the preceding apparatuses and is run at a suitable speed toproperly lay the fiber in position when dischargin from the apron.

The housing 20 consists of the two side pieces which are alike inconstruction, therefore I will describe one only. They are built up insections as desired and in Fig. 4 of the drawings I have shown the twosec tions connected together, the joints being formed preferably bytongue and groove joints as shown best in Fig. 44 of the drawings. Eachsection is made up preferably of cast iron provided with a pluralit ofVertical notches 20, one for each set 0 apparatuses. The separatesection of housings are secured to the main frame by means of bolts 20so that the relative position of the hearings on the separate sectionsalways remain the same. Mounted in each of these notches 20 are a pairofbearings 21 which are provided with oppositely disposed vertical flanges21 and 21 and between said flanges are grooves which fit the edges ofthe walls of the notchesso that said bearings 21 may shift upand down insaid notches. Each of the bearings are provided with annular projections21 which project into the various rolls androtating apparatuses as shownbest in Figs. 36 and 44 of the drawings so that the material treatedwill not wind on the shaft or between the bearing and roll or rotatingapparatus and also prevent the shafts from gathering dust or dirt,preventing needless friction which would cause the bearings to heat. Thelower bearing rests in the bottom of the notches 20 and the upperbearing rests in said notch and is supported by means of the bearingadjustments 23 which consist of a cap which is secured over said notchby means of bolts 23 which is provided with an internally threaded hole23 in which is screwed adjusting member 23 which is provided with acentral hole in which is reciprocally mounted the bolt 23 its headnormally rest ing on said adjusting member 23. Mounted around said boltand between said adjusting piece 23 and the top of the upper bearing isa compression spring 23. Centrally and longitudinally through said boltis a hole 23 adapted to provide means for oiling the bearings throughsaid bolt.- It will be here noted that the bolt 23 holds the 11 perbearing in its normal position, that t 10 spring 23 is of suitablestrength to hold the upper bearing in position to produce the propertension or pressure of the upper rolls toward the lower rolls, thespace, however, between said rolls or rotating apparatuses may bewidened or narrowed by turning the bolt 23 in the proper direction inthe adjusting member 23, and that the tension of the spring may bechanged by turning the adjusting member 23 in the cap 23 thus providingadjustment for both the position of the rolls or rotating apparatusesrelatively to each other, and the tension of the spring 23. It will alsobe here noted that the-spring 23 is for the purpose of increasing' ordecreasing the pressure between the rolls or rotating apparatusesasdesired. In some of. the bearings, however, the spring 23 and adjustingmember 23 may be dispensed with, in which case the cap 23 is a plain capas shown in some of the bearings in Fig. 4 of the drawings. This springand its adjustment can be dispensed with for the purpose of facilitatingthe scutching operation on the fiber. The frame upon which the housings20 are mounted may be of any suitable form whether the machine is to beused stationary or portable. The several sets of rollers or rotatingapparatuses may be driven by any suitable means so as to ro tate in thesame direction at the proper speed. In this case I have shown themconnected by gears. I prefer to drive the various sets of apparatuses asfollows: I provide a main shaft 27 journaled in the frame of vtheapparatus. Upon one end of said shaft is rigidly secured a drive pulley27* and upon the opposite end thereof a gear 27 which gear engages anintermediate gear 29 which in turn engages with another intermediategear 29. These two intermediate gears are mounted on studs 29 which arerigidly secured to the main frame of the apparatus, and one of theintermediate gears 29 engages with a gear 28 on the shaft 28 which isthe high speed shaft, the speed beingobtained by means of the gears 27,29 and 28 and mounted" on the opposite end of this high speed shaft 28is another gear 28 of suitable size, preferably larger, which connectswith the drive gear 33 of the high speed apparatus, and all theremaining .high speed apparatuses are connected by means of chains 34and their engaging sprockets. It will be here noted that changes in thehigh speed may be made by changing the sprockets using more or lessteeth as desired for changing the speed in any or all of the apparatusesand the same principle applies to the slower rotating apparatuses. Onthe main shaft 27 adjacent the gear 27 is an other gear 27 of smallersize which engages with the intermediate gear 80 which is mountcd on astud secured to the main frame of the apparatus. This gear 30 engageswith the lower gears on the first two of the apparatuses which producesthe slower speed to these two apparatuses. Adjacent the pulley 27 on themain drive shaft is another gear 27' which engages with an intermediategear 32 which is mounted on a stud secured to the main frame of theapparatus. This intermediate gear 32 engages with the lower gear on thethird apparatus. Mounted on a stud secured to the main frame is anintermediate gear 31 which connects the lowergear of the third apparatuswith the lower gear of the fourth apparatus, thus driving the fourthapparatus of the slow speed apparatus and all the following slow speedapparatuses are driven by means of chains 36 and their connectingsprockets which are secured to the slower speed shafts. It will be herenoted that I prefer to drive the high speed on one side of the mainapparatus and the slower speed on the opposite side as shown best inFig. 1 of the drawings. However, in the cases when the machine or a'plurality of the same are installed stationary the drive of the slow orhigh speed or the entire drive may be obtained by pulleys on countershafts. The discharging rolls are driven by gears connected with thepreceding high speed apparatus and the discharging carrier is driven bychain 35 and sprockets connecting with said preceding high speedapparatus.

llhough I have shown and described a particular construction and certainmodifications therefrom, I do not wish to be limited to these certainstructures or their modifications, but desire to include in my inventionthe construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forthin the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and dentingaction, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiberbearing material to a splitting and spreading action and meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material toa breaking action.

2. In an apparatus of the class described,- the combination of means forfirst subjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and dentingaction, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiberbearing material to a splitting and spreading action, meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material toa breakin action, and means cooperating therewith or next subjectingsaid fiberbearing material to a more thorough breaking action.

3. In an apparatus of the class described,

therewith for next subjecting said fiber bearing material to a cleaning,combing and degumming action.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subjecting fiber bearing materialto a crushing and denting action,means cooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber bearingmaterial to a splitting and spreading ac tion, means cooperatingtherewith for next subjecting said fiber bearing material to a cleanmg,combing, whipping, scutching and degumming action and means cooperatingtherewith for next subjecting said fiber bearing material to a morethorough breaking action.

5. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of means for first subject ing the fiber-bearingmaterial to a crushing and denting action, means cooperating therewithfor next subjecting said fiberbearing material to a splitting and spreading action, means coiiperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a breaking action, and means cooperatingtherewith for feeding said fiber-bearing material to said crushing anddenting means which subjects said material to a spreading and separatingaction.

6. In an'apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfeeding fiber bearing material, means for next subjecting said fiberbearing material to a scutching action comprising a pair of rotatingscutching devices arranged on opposite sides of said material andadapted to engage therewith, means for next subjecting said fiberbearingmaterial to a conveying action.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and dentingaction, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiberbearing material to a splitting and spreading action, meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material toa breaking action, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiberbearing material to a cleaning, combing and degumming action, andmeans coiiperating therewith for feeding said fiber-bearing material-tosaid. crushing and denting means which subjects said material to aspreading the cleaning, combing and deglnnming action.

9. In an apparatus of the class described,

' means for first subjecting fiber-bearing mar terial to a crushing anddenting action, means for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material toa splittingand spreading action,

means for next subjecting said fiber-bearing" material to a breakingaction, means for subjecting said fiber-bearing material to a cleaning,combing, softening and de mming action, all of said cleaning, com ing,softening and degumming means interchangeable in their arrangement foraction relatively to each other.

10. In an apparatus of the class described means for first subjectingfiber-bearing material to a crushing and denting action; means for nextsubjecting said fiber-bearing material to a breaking action; means fornext subjecting said fiber-bearing material to a splitting and spreadingaction; means for next sub ecting said fiber-bearing mateing fiberbearing materials to a breaking rial to a cleaning, combing, softeningand degumming action, said means interchangeable in'their arrangementfor action relatively to each other.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subjecting fiber bearing material to a feeding action, means fornext subjecting said fiber bearing material to a scutching action,com-prising a plurality of pairs of scutchin devices arranged so thateach pair has a evice on each side of the material to be scutched andadapted to engage said material and. means for next subjecting saidfiber bearing material to a conveying action.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subjectaction, means for next subjecting said fiber bearingmaterial to a scutching action com prising, a pair of rotating scutchingdevices arranged on opposite sides of the material to be scutched andadapted to engage therewith and means for next subjecting said fiberbearing material to a conveying action.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subject: ing fiber bearing material to a breaking action, meansfor next subjecting said fiber bearing material to a scutching actioncomprlslng, a pluraliti 1 of pairs of scutching devices arranged so t atone device of each pair 18 onopposite sides of said material tobescutched and adapted to engage said material and means for nextsubjecting said fiber bearln material to a conveying action.

'14. 11 an apparatus of the class described, the combination of meansfor subjecting fiberbearing material to a cleaning action, means forsubjecting fiber-bearing material to a combing action, and means forsubjecting fiber-bearing material to a degumming action each consistingof a plurality of rotatableblades each provided with a plurality ofprojections in the outer edges of said blades each projection providedwith a plurality of miniature projections thereon.

15'. In an apparatus of the class described, means for subjectingfiber-bearing material to a cleaning, combing and degumming actionconsisting of a plurality of rotatable blades each provided with aplurality of projections in its outer edge, the projections on one bladebeing in staggered relation to the projections on the adjacent blade onthe same rotating member.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, means for sub ectingfiber-bearing material to ar'cleaning, combing and degumming actionconsisting of a plurality of rotatable blades each provided with aplurality of projections in its outer edge, the projections on one bladebeing in staggered relation to the projections on the adjacent blade onthe same rotating member and so positioned on the alternate blade inopposite directions whereby a more thorough cleaning, combing anddegumming action is rovided.

17. In an a paratus of t e class described, means for suectingfiber-bearing material to a cleaning, combing and degumming actionconsisting of a pair of rotatable apparatuses positioned one above theother, each provided'with aplurality of blades each of which is providedwith a plurality of projections in the outer edge, each projectionprovided. with a plurality of miniature proections said blades sopositioned in their operative relation to each other that the outer edgeof one blade on one of said apparatuses is between the two blades on theopposite apparatus.

18. In an-apparatus of the class described, means for sub ectingfiber-bearing material to a-cleaning, combing and degumming actionconsisting ofa pair of rotatable apparatuses positioned one above theother, each provided with a plurality of blades each of which isprovided with a plurality of projections in the outer edge, eachprojection provided with a plurality of miniature projections saidblades so positioned in their operative relation to each other that theouter edge of one blade on one of said apparatuses is between the twoblades on the opposite apparatus, and means for adjusting the depth ofthe intermediate blade with the two blades on the opposite apparatus.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, means for sub ectinfiber-bearing material to a cleaning, combing and dcgumming actionconsisting of a pair of rotatable apparatusespositioned one above theother, each provided with a lurality of blades each of which is providedwith a plurality of miniature projections on its outer edge and saidblades so positioned in their operative relation to each other that theouter edgeof one blade on one of said apparatuses is between the twoblades of the opposite apparatus, and means for adjusting the depth ofthe intermediate blade in relation to the two blades on the oppositeapparatus, the projections on the blades of the opposing apparatus areso positioned on the blade of one apparatus relatively to the secondblade in operation on the opposite apparatus is in staggered relationwhereby the projections on the several blades of the pair of apparatusespenetrate into and act upon each and every particle of fiber materialthereby freeing the fiber from the gum in dust like crystal form andalso providing a scutching, combing and stripping action whicheliminates the other matter not fiber from the fiber.

20. In an a )paratus of the class described, means for sub ectinfiber-bearing material to a cleaning, combing and degumming actionconsisting of a plurality of rotatable blades each provided with aplurality of projections in its outer edge, each projection providedwith a plurality of miniature projections, and means for adjusting saidblades inwardly and outwardly.

21. In an ap )aratus of the class described, means for sub ectingfiber-bearing material to a cleaning, combing and degumming actionconsisting of a plurality of rotatable blades each provided with aplurality of projections in its outer edge, means for adj usting saidblades inwardly and outwardly, and means for adjusting the angle of saidblades relatively to the radial.

22. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forsubjecting fiber bearing material to a breaking action, means for nextsubjecting said fiber bearing material to a scutching and combing actionconsisting of a pair of rotating members arranged on opposite sides ofsaid material and provided with a plurality of blades each bladeprovided with a plurality of'pro 'ections on their outer surfaceengaging said material and means for. next subjecting said fiber bearingmaterial to a conveying action.

23. In an apparatus of the class described, means for subjectinfiber-bearing material t a cleaning, combing and degumming action,consisting of a plurality of rotatable blades each provided with aplurality of projections in its outer edge and means for adjusting theangle of each of said blades relatively to the radial.

24. In an apparatus of the class described, means for sub ectinfiber-bearing material to a cleaning, combing and degumming action,consisting of a plurality of rotatable blades each provided with aplurality of projections in its outer edge, means for aidj usting theangle of each of said blades relatively to the radial, and means foradjusting each of said blades inwardly and outwardly.

25. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forsubjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and denting action,means coiiperating therewith for subjecting said fiber-bearing materialto a splitting and spreading action, means cooperating therewith iorsubjecting said fiberbearing material to a breaking action, means forcooperating therewith for subjecting said fiber-bearing material to acleaning, combing and degumming action consisting of a plurality ofrotatable blades each provided with a plurality of projections in itsouter edge, and means for adjusting the angle of each of said bladesrelative to the radial.

26. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forsubjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and denting action,means cooperating therewith for subjecting said fiber-bearing materialto a splitting and spreading action, means oooperating therewith forsubjecting said fiberbearing material to a breaking action, meanscoiiperating therewith for subjecting said fiber-bearing material to acleaning, combing and degumming action consisting of a plurality ofrotatable blades each provided with a plurality of projections in itsouter edge, means for adjusting each of said blades consisting of aplurality of rotatable blades provided with beveled outer edges, meansfor adjusting said-blades inwardly and outwardly and means for adjustingthe angle of said blades relatively to the radial.

29. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forsubjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and denting action,means cooperating therewith for subjecting said fiber-bearing materlalto a splitting and spreading action, means cooperating therewith for subecting said fiber-bearing material to a breakin action, meanscooperating therewith for slIb ectlng said fiber-bearing material to awhlpplng, cleanin and scutching action consisting of a plura ity ofrotatable blades each provided with a beveled ed e, means for ad-'justing said blades inwardly and-outwardly, and means for adjusting theangle of said blades relatively to the radial.

30. In an apparatusof the class described, the combination of means forsubjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and denting action,means cooperating therewith for subjecting, said fiber-bearing materialto a splitting and spreading action, means cooperating therewith forsubjecting said fiberbearing material to a breaking action, meanscooperating therewith for subjecting said her-bearing material to awhipping cleaning and} scutching action consisting of a plurality ofrotatable blades each provided with a beveled edge, means for adjustingsaid blades inwardly and outwardly, and means cooperating therewith forsubjecting said fiber-bearing material to a; c-leanin combing anddegumming'action consisting of a plurality of rotatable blades eachprovided with a plurality of projections in its outer e ge.

31. In an apparatus of the class described, means for sub ectingfiber-bearing material to a whipping, cleaning and scutching actionconsisting of a rotatable apparatus provided with a plurality of bladeseach provided with beveled ed'ges and a U shaped guard member positionedeither above or below said rotatable apparatus whereby the blades onsaid rotatable apparatus pass in close proximity to the convex portionof said guard member and between which the fiber bearin material passes.

32. 11 an apparatus of the class described,

means for sub ecting fiber-bearing material to a cleaning, combing anddegumming action consisting of a rotatable apparatus pro vided with aplurality of blades, each provided with a plurality of projections inits outer edge, a U shaped guard member mounted either above or belowsaid rotatable a paratus and 'so positioned that the blades of saidrotatable apparatus as inclose proximity to the convex surt ce of saidguard member and between which the material passes.

33. In an apparatus of the classdescribed, the combination of means forsubjecting fiber-bearing material to a cleaning, combing, degumming,scutching and whipping action consisting of a-plurality of rotatableapparatuses each rotatable apparatus provided with a plurality ofblades, a plurality of U shaped guards positioned so that their curvedsurfaces are in close proximity to the outer edges of said blades inoperation and arranged so that one rotatable apparatus and one U shapedguard cooperate together.

34. In an apparatus of the class described, means for subjecting fiberbearing material to a cleaning, tion consisting of a'pair of rotatablemembers arranged on opposite sides of the material, each provided with aplurality of projections extending from their outer surface sopositioned and formed as to penetrate each and every part of the fibermaterial.

35. In an apparatus of the class described, .means for sub ecting thefiber-bearing material to a crushing and denting action, means forcooperating therewith for subjecting said fiber-bearing material to asplitting and spreading action, means cooperating therewith forsubjecting said fiber-bearing material to a breaking action, and meanscooperating therewith for subjecting said fiber-bearing material to acleaning, combing and degumming action, the latter means comprising aplurality of sets of rotatable apparatuses,"each provided with aplurality of blades, each blade provided with a plunality of projectionson its outer edge, the projections on the blades of the different setsvarying in accordance with the material.

36. In an apparatus of the class described, means for subjectingthefiber-bearing material to a crushing and denting action, meanscooperating therewith for subjectin" said fiber-bearing material to asplitting and spreading action, means cooperating therewith subjectingsaid 'fiber-bearin g material to V a breaking action, means cooperatingtherewith for subjecting said fiber-bearing material to a. cleaning,combing and degumming action, the latter means comprising a plurality ofsets of rotatable apparatuses. each provided with a plurality of blades,each blade provided with a plurality-of projections on its outer edge,the blades being interchangeable in form, and a plurality of pairs oflongitudinally corrugated rolls arranged in connection with saidrotatable apparatuses for softening said material and holding saidmaterial taut for proper treatment by saidcleaning, combing anddegumber-bearing combing and degumming acming apparatuses by reason ofthe pressure brought to bear on said fiber because of the closeproximity of said rolls to each other and the difference in the speed ofsaid corrugated rolls relatively to said cleaning. combing anddcgunnning apparatuses causing said fiber-lwaring material to be tautwhile. passing said apparatus.

37. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subjcct ing the fiber-bearing material to a crush ing and dentingaction, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiberbearing material to a splitting and spreading action, meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material toa. breaking action, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiberbearing material to a cleaning, combing and degumming action, and aplurality of means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a more thorough combing and degumming action.

38. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and dentin 1action. means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a splitting and spreading action, meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber bearing material toa breaking action, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing materialto a more thorough breaking act-ion, meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material toa cleaning, combing and degumming action, a plurality of meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material toa more thorough combing and de-gumming action, and means coiiperatingtherewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material to a softeningaction.

39. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and dentingaction, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a splitting and spreading action,

means cooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearingmaterial to a breaking action, means cooperating therewith for nextsubjecting said fiber-bearing material to a more thorough breakingaction, means cooperating therewith for subj ecting said fiber-bearingmaterial to a cleaning, combing and degumming action, a plurality ofmeans cooperating therewith for subjecting said fiber-bearing materialto a more thorough combing and degumming action, means cooperatingtherewith for subjecting said fiber-bearing material to a softeningaction, and means cooperating therewith for subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a more thorough softening action.

40. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and dcntingaction, means co-iipcrating therewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a splitting and spreading action, meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting sai'd filwr-bearing materialto a breaking action, means eoi'ipcrating therewith for next subjectingsaid fiber-bearing material to a more thorough breaking, combing anddegumming action, a plurality of means cooperating therewith for nextsubj ecting said fiber-bearing material to a more thorough combing anddegumming action,- means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a softening action, means cooperatingtherewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material to a morethorough softening action, said last mentioned means comprising aplurality "of longitudinally corrugated sets of rolls, each set of rollsin close proximity to each other to cause pressure on said fiberbearingmaterial and positioned in line of travel of said fiber-bearingmaterial.

41. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forfirst subjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing and dentingaction, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a splitting and spreading action, meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material toa breaking action, means coiiperatingtherewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a more thorough breaking, means cooperatingtherewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material to a. combing,cleaning and dcgun'iming action, a plurality of means for nextsubjecting said fiber-bearing material to a more thorough combing,cleaning and deguinming action, means cooperating therewith for nextsubjecting said fiber-bearing n'iatcrial to a softening action, meanscoiiperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing materialto a more thorough softening action, said last mentioned meanscomprising a plurality of sets of rolls, each set of rolls in closeproximity to each other to cause pressure on said fiberbearing materialand positioned in line of travel of said fiber-bearin material.

42. In an apparatus of tlie class described, the combination of meansfor first subjecting the fiber-bearing material to a crushing anddenting action, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a splitting and spreading action, meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material toa breaking action, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing I material to a cleaning, combing and degum- I 44. In anapparatus of the ming action, means cooperating therewith for nextsubjecting said fiber-bearing material to a softening action, meanscooperating therewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material toa more thorough combing and degumming action, means cooperatingtherewith for next subjecting said fiber-bearing material to a'cleanmg,scutching and whipping action, means cooperating therewith for nextsubjecting said fiber-bearing material to a more thorough cleaning,degumming and whipping action, means cooperating therewith for nextsubjecting said fiber-bearing material to a more thorough softeningaction comprising a plurality of sets of rolls, each set of rolls inclose enough proximity to each other to cause pressure on saidfiber-bearing material and positioned in line of travel of saidfiber-bearing material. 43. In an apparatus of the class described, thecombination of means for first subjectin the fiber-bearing material to acrushing an denting action, means cooperating therewith for nextsubjecting said fiber-bearing material to a splitting and spreadingaction,

means coo erating therewith for next subjecting sa1d fiber-bearingmaterial a cleaning, combing and degummmg action, means cooperatintherewith for next subjecting said fiber-' caring material to asoftening action, means cooperatmg therewlth for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material to a more thorough combing and degumming action,means cooperating3 therewith for next subjecting said fiberearmgmaterial to a cleaning, scutchin and whipping action, meanscooperating't to a more thorough cleaning, degumming and whippingaction, means cooperating therewith for next subjecting saidfiberbearing material to a more thorough soften- 1n action comprising aplurality of sets of roIls, each set of rolls in close enough proximityto each other to cause pressure on said fiber-bearing material andpositioned in line of travel of said fiber-bearing material, and meanscooperating therewith for'subjecting said fiber-bearing material to amore thorough cleaning, combin and de ing action comprising a plura ityof sets of rotating apparatuses, each provided with a plurality ofblades, each blade provided with a plurality of projections thereon,said rotatable apparatuses positioned in line of travel of saidfiber-bearing material, the apparatuses and blades positioned relativelto each other so that very short length fiber material will be actedupon thereby.

class described, means for subjecting. short length fiber bearingmaterial to a, cleaning, combing, degum erewith for next subjecting saidfiber-bearing material ming, scutching and whipping action consisting ofa pair of rotating scutchin devices arranged on opposite sides of saiterial,-a pair of slower speed feeding rolls arranged in close proximitythereto and another pair of rolls on the opposite side of said pair ofscutching devices in close proximity to said scutching devices.

45. In an apparatus of the class described, means for scutching fiberbearin material, comprising, a pair of rolls, a p urality of rotatableand adjustable blades provided with a plurality of projections on eachblade in close proximity to said rolls and revolved at a more rapidspeed adapted to receive the material from said rolls and another pairof rolls on the opposite side of said rotatable blades from said firstmentioned rolls adapted to receive the material from said rotatableblades.

46. In an apparatus of the class described, means for scutching fiberbearing material, comprising, a pair of rolls between which said fiberbearing material asses, a rotating member provided with a p urality ofblades provided with a plurality of projections on its outer edge inclose proximity to said rolls and adapted to engage said fiber bearingmaterial on one side revolved at a more rapid rate of speed that saidrolls, means on the opposite side of said fiber bearing material forholding said fiber bearing material against said blades in closeproximity to said rolls and another pair of rolls adapted to receive thematerial from said blades.

47. In an apparatus of the class described, means for discharging fiberfrom the apparatus comprising a pair of revoluble rolls in closeproximity 'to each other, means thereon for preventing the fiber fromwrapping on said rolls and means cooperating therewith for dischargingsaid fiber from said rolls in an endless folded form comprising an apronpivotally mounted at one end thereof and means for moving said apronback and forth on its pivotal mountcrushing said material and dentingits outer surface, then splitting and spreading the y same, thenbreaking the woody matter contained therein, then cleaning said woodymatter therefrom, then combing and degumming said fiber.

50. The herein described method of treatlng fiber-bearing materialconsisting in

